[MiQP-Mail] N9NE/M Finalized Plans (long and rambling)

[Todd Fonstad]

Greetings!

After spending a few days tuning the four resonators mag-mounted atop my
little Toyota Yaris and consulting the DeLorme Atlas of MI as well as Google
Earth and Google map (as well as the Oracle of Delphi), I THINK I have come
up with a 'plan' for the MIQP. I will be single operator, single driver. 

I'm leaving Oshkosh in my rear-view mirror at approximately 7 am EDT,
arriving at Sagola (at the truck stop parking lot) in DICK by 12 noon. I'll
be operating 75 and 80M from the very start, as well as 40 and 20M. After
about 1 1/2 hours, I'll drive to Crystal Falls in IRON for another 1 1/2
hour operation. Then on to BARA at Covington. I'll be on 75 SSB, trying for
MI county mults while driving ... otherwise all operation will be in park
mode. HOUG is next (next to beautiful river), then to ONTO at or near Bruce
Crossing. (I have usually parked in a rural cemetery near there in past
'tests, but that was in daylight. This will be at dusk, when the boogeywomen
come out, so I'll probably be in a saloon's parking lot in Bruce Crossing).
A short trip to Watersmeet in GOGE (in the Casino parking lot ... LOL!) for
close to 2 hours will bring me to the end of the MIQP. BUT ... I still will
have a 4 hour drive home ahead of me in the rain and fog with roads filled
with deer, hoppy-frogs, and drunks. Thank goodness for coffee and Provigil
(much better than No-Doze). 

My setup is the K2/100 to two mag-mounted antennas: a hamstick for 75 and a
three-band Hustler for 80/40/20. SERIOUSLY, if you want these counties, you
must listen for a very weak 80/75 signal on SSB and CW. My experience from
several state QSO parties is having some VERY strong stations on those bands
call CQ right in my face and never hearing me. You have to be prepared to
hear an S2 N9NE/M on your K3 (you all have yours by now, right?) if you want
these EXCEEDINGLY RARE Yooper counties :)

BTW, the distance from the western UP to SE MI exceeds 400 miles, a distance
equal to Oshkosh to St. Louis. 

This will be my fifth or sixth in-state MIQP venture, and I really enjoy the
beauty of the UP as well as the contesting. Thanks to the sponsors, in-state
stations, rovers, and those who 'chase' rovers for making this a top-notch
event!

If you would like a photo of my Yaris with antennas attached (rather
humorous), e-mail me a request.

GL to all!

73
Todd
N9NE/M
Oshkosh, WI

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